Power Steering fluid leaking

[Sandfobs]

93 Escort Wagon LX

Noticed a small puddle under the right front near the wheel while working on the brakes, it's power steering fluid and immediately checked the levels and it was very low, don't know if it completely emptied or not but it was noisy. Filled it up and tried to see where it's coming from and it appears from the boot facing the right front tire....appears as though it's leaking from the end of the boot I tried to make the clamp tighter to seal it better but still doesn't stop the leak. I have the car in my garage with a pan underneath. Any suggestions... I have checked other threads but don't see anything related to this boot.

[inafogg]

if its coming out the inner tie rod boot the rack is leaking & needs replacing sorry!!

[AzTumbleweed]

Start the engine and have someone turn the steering wheel as far as it will turn and then look for leaks. I have had a pin hole in two of the power steering hoses on my '93 and they only showed up when the wheel was turned all the way and the pressure was highest. This high pressure leak can spray other parts making it appear that they have a leak.

[Sandfobs]

I will try see if there is another leak elsewhere. I have already changed the rack and pinion once on this vehicle I would not even consider changing it again..... unless I can do it myself this time.

[zzyzzx2]

Did you find the source of the leak?

[Sandfobs]

Yup it stilll is leaking by the boot, it's too bad I really didn't want to do this but it's time to scrap this car (ELVIS) is his name.. A new rack and pinion, intake problem, speedometer cable, and oil leaks... I really think it's time.

[mightymoose_22]

The other thing you could try with this is to add a dye to the fluid and then check for the leak with the uv light... not sure if they have what you need at the auto shop or not, but a decent service station could do this and confirm the location of the leak for you.

Why is replacing the rack such a terrible thing?

[Sandfobs]

Well for one I don't have a detailed instructions to change the rack so I am really unsure how too. It doesnt' show how to do this in the repair manual and also ALLDATA is not helping either.

[Intuit]

'94 model uses transmission fluid (red in color) and *NOT* power steering fluid (black in color). Using power steering fluid will cause internal seals to fail prematurely. Don't know but the '93 model may be the same. Awhile back did the rack & pinion (because it was noisy) in my own and it simply takes patience and requires only a little bit of contortion. Haynes manuals used to be like $15, but noticed they're now $30. Guess I'll keep my mouth closed from now on, on what a great deal they were. But they do pay for themselves on the first use.